FYI,

Looks like a good deal for someone thinking about a new build!

http://www.gunbroker.com/Aucti....aspx?Item=546026672

(Not mine)

Totally agree. This action has been on the market for a while, a year or two on and off. For a right hander this is a first class setup.

I wonder why no takers. Is it a big high priced, or just too far outside the box for most?

There are 6 others you can get for 1300

or less and sporterized Enfields just as strong.

Maybe folks kinda figure gun business should

not operate like the stock market.Ed

Cool action. I like the scope ring setup.

thanks Ed. That would explain a lot...

OOH! Not started at $3250 yet, eh?
H&H bolt face for a .458 Lott, etc.
Smithson scope rings and plugs for the integral square bridge bases: The rings alone are worth about 1K, installed?

This reminds me of a humorous story.
Remington had an R&D plant, for a few years, in Elizabethtown, KY, though they shut it down not too long ago.

One of our members here was an R&D Engineer there.
He left before they shut down, but his buddy, another engineer hung on until the end.

In the usual wisdom of Remington bean counters, they wanted to liquidate some "spare parts" so the lucky engineer offerred to take an action off their hands for $200.
The offer was graciously accepted by the bean counter sweeping out the junk left over at the vacation of the premises.
It was a Granite Mountain action for .416 Rigby, and it had Smithson mounts on it, all brand new, in the white.

Selling a $3200 action for $200 is par for the course of Remington bean counters.
Seems someone who knew what it was, acquired for a "high end" project being considered, had already departed.
The sly remaining R&D Engineer engineered a great buy ... it must look about like this:



Description for Item # 546026672
"From Granite Mountain Arms, Inc., a double square bridge, Mauser 98 style magnum action, serial number 219, in the white, and ready for your next dangerous game adventure. These actions are among the finest available today for use in building best quality, custom, bolt action sporting rifles. Originally purchased to facilitate a project using the .458 Lott caliber. Any belted magnum cartridge of similar dimension will be appropriate for this action. It has a Blackburn trigger installed, as well as a set of 30mm rings custom made and installed by J.P. Smithson. Also included are Smithson slot fillers for use when iron sights are employed. Front ring diameter is 1.419" and threads are 1.1" x 12tpi. The action over all length is 9-5/16", and it weighs 3 pounds, 9 ounces. Please ask any questions before bidding as this is a no refund, no return, auction. Shipping to a FFL holder only after receipt of a signed copy of the license, and only to the address on the license. Payment by certified check or postal money order. Shipping by FedEx or USPS Priority Mail, insured, best way, with no funny adders, paid by the winning bidder. Thank you for looking, and good luck with your bid."

I met that sly R&D Engineer at a gunshow recently and heard this true story straight from the horse's mouth.

If I bought that action I would put it in a synthetic stock and have a bunch of barrels made up for it:



I made an offer of $400 to the sly engineer, told him he could double his money at my expense.
I am still waiting for him to mull it over.

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Would this action work for a .404 Jeffery?

Paul not without a bit of work. Better to start out with their 404J action.

Cheers, Chris

I used a GMA for my .600ok no.2. That was many years ago before the prices went up. It offers certain advantages for 505 Gibbs and .6000k cartridges which might help justify that price. Yes you can build the ultra big bores on Enfields, Mausers and win 70s but they just don't have the look of a real custom gun. The best bang for the money in my opinion though still is the CZ 550. Tested and Proven! -Rob

This is my .505 Gibbs, built by Lon Paul on a GMA action. I was lucky, because Lon had the action in stock and was able to sell it to me at a reasonable price. Of course, everything I saved was promptly spent on the Smithson rings.

The Cromolly PHs are down on price I hear and

there is a guy doing CZs converted to a bigger bolt

for decent price. And Stiller/Lawtons decent prices

and many look down on oversize REM clones but many

love REMs and clones, don't care for Mauser clones.

Main thing is to get real big bores into as

many hands possible.Affordable helps that...Ed

Would that work on a 450 Rigby??

RIP,

you fail to differentiate between worth and value, and suggested retail in the matter of the scope rings.

Considering I have purchased both Leupold and Talley bases and rings, but never for such a silly price, I'd have to see them and have someone explain to me what makes the maker price them so high.

I believe you are talking about a company creating a false sense of value just for profit. Perhaps I am being a bit pragmatic, but very few expensive things perform enough above expectations to justify the prices.

Example, H&H double rifle in 500 3" NE for $300,00 or so. Kills Elephants how much deader than a $50,000 Searcy with the Bissel, third rising bite action? Oh, H&H does not offer one like that. They use a cheaper to build SxS action.

Snobbery only goes so far, accuracy is what sells for me...

quote:

Originally posted by Idaho Sharpshooter:
RIP,

you fail to differentiate between worth and value, and suggested retail in the matter of the scope rings.

Considering I have purchased both Leupold and Talley bases and rings, but never for such a silly price, I'd have to see them and have someone explain to me what makes the maker price them so high.

I believe you are talking about a company creating a false sense of value just for profit. Perhaps I am being a bit pragmatic, but very few expensive things perform enough above expectations to justify the prices.

Example, H&H double rifle in 500 3" NE for $300,00 or so. Kills Elephants how much deader than a $50,000 Searcy with the Bissel, third rising bite action? Oh, H&H does not offer one like that. They use a cheaper to build SxS action.

Snobbery only goes so far, accuracy is what sells for me...

Before I would spend $300,000 on a rifle, I would by my own CNC machines, and start making them myself.

If God ever blessed you with a year in Idaho, you'd never think twice about the frozen deserts of Montana again.

My wife's family is from up there. Know what dryland farming is? They call it that because it does not rain enough to get more than one cutting of hay on a regular basis. They ranch 119 sections of ground. Not enough food to run more than about 900 AMU.

Montana is a fascinating place to visit, or hunt, but it's tough to make a living. My inlaws tell people who talk about moving there to "bring your own money...". They have legalized Marijuana, so the druggies are having a field day.

quote:

Originally posted by Idaho Sharpshooter:
RIP,

you fail to differentiate between worth and value, and suggested retail in the matter of the scope rings.

Considering I have purchased both Leupold and Talley bases and rings, but never for such a silly price, I'd have to see them and have someone explain to me what makes the maker price them so high.

I believe you are talking about a company creating a false sense of value just for profit. Perhaps I am being a bit pragmatic, but very few expensive things perform enough above expectations to justify the prices.

Example, H&H double rifle in 500 3" NE for $300,00 or so. Kills Elephants how much deader than a $50,000 Searcy with the Bissel, third rising bite action? Oh, H&H does not offer one like that. They use a cheaper to build SxS action.

Snobbery only goes so far, accuracy is what sells for me...

Good gear or top of the line stuff is often just nice to own.

quote:

Originally posted by Idaho Sharpshooter:
If God ever blessed you with a year in Idaho, you'd never think twice about the frozen deserts of Montana again.

My wife's family is from up there. Know what dryland farming is? They call it that because it does not rain enough to get more than one cutting of hay on a regular basis. They ranch 119 sections of ground. Not enough food to run more than about 900 AMU.

Montana is a fascinating place to visit, or hunt, but it's tough to make a living. My inlaws tell people who talk about moving there to "bring your own money...". They have legalized Marijuana, so the druggies are having a field day.

I've been through Idaho and eastern Washington - both as beautiful as a man could ever wish for. Western Montana has been a dream since I was 17-years old and saw the movie Jeremiah Johnson, and thereafter researched the life of the character and the locations that the movie was loosely based on. In either case, I chose a business that is subject to the whims of crooks, and picking up to try-a-place out for a year isn't in the cards.

Where I live now, just hurts my eyes, and my soul.

quote:

Originally posted by Michael McGuire:

quote:

Originally posted by Idaho Sharpshooter:
RIP,

you fail to differentiate between worth and value, and suggested retail in the matter of the scope rings.

Rich,
I do nothing of the sort. The distinctions between worth, value, and suggested retail price are only in your own mind. I have verified that the Smithson mounts can be installed by Mr. Smithson (aftermarket) on a double-square-bridged action for $950. Add S&H. Add rust-bluing if being done to a finished rifle.

Considering I have purchased both Leupold and Talley bases and rings, but never for such a silly price, I'd have to see them and have someone explain to me what makes the maker price them so high.

Rich,
If I cannot have integral bases, I am a Leupold QRW base and ring kind of guy, or Picatinny and Burris X-treme Tactical ring kind of guy, but I will pass on the Talley bases and rings if given my druthers, as I have found some Talley designs too fragile for some of my applications. Talley is certainly OK on 22RF. Whenever a Talley set I am stuck with (from pre-enlightenment days) goes bust on me, I replace it with something stronger.

I believe you are talking about a company creating a false sense of value just for profit. Perhaps I am being a bit pragmatic, but very few expensive things perform enough above expectations to justify the prices.

Example, H&H double rifle in 500 3" NE for $300,00 or so. Kills Elephants how much deader than a $50,000 Searcy with the Bissel, third rising bite action? Oh, H&H does not offer one like that. They use a cheaper to build SxS action.

Rich,
Where do I find a $300.00 H&H double rifle of any caliber? I'll take it!

Snobbery only goes so far, accuracy is what sells for me...

Rich,
Snobbery only goes so far with you? It goes nowhere with me, completely lost on me.

Good gear or top of the line stuff is often just nice to own.

Mike,
Thank you, Captain Obvious.

http://www.smithson-gunmaker.com/

http://www.smithson-gunmaker.com/scope-mounts.html























Here is a "fancier" example of what Joseph Smithson can do with his scope mounts when he builds a .375 H&H take-down rifle:



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quote:

Originally posted by Duane Wiebe (CG&R):
If Smithson had to explain the price, he'd already lose money

Good point, though he could be more brief with the explanation, you know, not give away all the details of how he does it, sort of like "Take it or leave it ...," and get back to work.

http://www.readjamesonparker.c...g/firearms-naturally

"…. Stop right there. Detachable scope mounts unlike any I have ever seen before.

When Joe started using Granite Mountain’s double square bridge action, he wanted a flawless and failsafe detachable mount to go with it, one that would go back to zero every time. He started experimenting with traditional lever systems, but eventually abandoned them in favor of his own unique design.

Each mount has a button on the side. When the button is pressed to remove the scope, an internal ball bearing rises up into a hole in the cam, allowing the mount to slide free from the base. Putting the scope back on, the mounts slide forward into the corresponding grooves in the bases and, when the button is released, the ball bearing drops down into a hole, the button cams over the ball bearing and the whole thing is locked into place. It is simple, easy to use, and absolutely failsafe. If it feels as precise and solid as a Tomahawk cruise missile, it’s because the mechanism is made by the machine shop that manufactures parts for Tomahawk missiles. Of course Joe, being Joe Smithson, then hand polishes and laps the mounts before installing them on bases he makes himself. He has also modified the system to work on other actions or even on double rifles. It’s the relentless pursuit of perfection, and it’s so successful that he makes them for both Westley Richards and Purdey."

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quote:

Originally posted by Texas Blue Devil:
Would that work on a 450 Rigby??

Duane had to be brief too, back to work ...
The subject action of OP was said to be ready for a .458 Lott.
Wrong bolt face and magazine dimensions for .450 Rigby.
GMA advertises magazines specific for various calibers.
It would take a lot of time to alter it to suit a .450 Rigby. Time is money ...

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RIP,

I missed a zero, when I get that much $$$ involved. $300,00) as I meant to post. And you should know, it was meant to be $300,000.

All I can say about Talley bases and rings is that they have survived (in some cases) years of abuse and hundreds of rounds on things like my OM 70 460 G&A,, VZ-24 404 Jefferys and FN 375 AI.

When I think of paying the prices you mention, I just sit back in my recliner and read the current price list for ALL of the custom pieces I want for my 6,5 and 8mm X68 rifles from NECG I'm having built.

I am buying double set triggers, $171.00, the folding hood ramp, $125, 3 Folding leafs Express Sight (to fit the integral quarter-rib barrels ordered)$100. All of the niceties for a good bolt rifle, for about $400 per rifle shipped. I am very comfortable that none of the product line Mark carries at NECG is of lesser quality than the parts shown for about twenty times the stuff you show.

I am looking at a set of double square bridge mounts on the Mauser Jim Kobe barreled for me in 425 WR. The set Jim made me are as nice as any I have seen,outside of the factory originals.

I believe most people buy the waaaay overpriced trinkets you mention for the same reason most people who own Ferrari and RR do: to impress other folks.

Functionality over all else.

I would suggest that the rifle shown, had I taken the $$$ instead, would have gotten me a Big Five hunt (dart gun the Rhino) in Africa, or a North American Grand Slam. I would value those far higher than ANY firearm ever built.

There is a line for all of us, where fancy and functional meet, and that line is usually expressed in $$$.

In regard to this OP, the wonderfulness of this action is apparently far short of the asking price, or it would not have been on the market so long.

Nothing personal to anyone, just a more common sense (I hope) to good things for sale.

Rich

quote:

and that line is usually expressed.....

Here goes- Should also be expressed in proper features that make for the

strongest and most functional and looking right for the caliber

including barrel heft, when the barreled action is out of the stock....

Copying what I say are bad features of a mauser doesn't make a 3 grand action.

Even if gold/diamond plated. You can get some of that new for grand elsewhere,

and 2-300 used out of folks surplus bin/ .

Big bore perfection that might be worth thousands....

Flat bottom action--- recoil lug on extreme front of receiver--

bolt stop like on BBK--- no stupid wall in the receiver--

that area better to be more barrel and threads holding barrel in----

thus allowing bigger bolt lugs---Win safety ok--Hawkeye safety ok--

Hefty bolt handle base locking in slot in action rear like Enfield

You all know bolt lugs on 93-95 mausers bigger than on 98s.

That last item, 93-95 bolt, is what Ruger and Enfield copied... .Ed

Rich,

Thanks for warning this sheep off the wrong trail. You have been a good shepherd. I am now disabused of the notion of greener grass on the other side of the hill. I will think twice before spreading the gold dust and nuggets with abandon.

I feel like Andrew Garcia after his tough trip through paradise: "With the limited education I have got at first I shure was up against a hard row of stumps, but I have learned a whole lot since then ..."

Second thoughts: I still can't help but marvel at the perfection of those integral Smithson scope bases hiding in the square bridges of a Magnum Mauser.
I am in limbo and fearing I will shurely go to hell over my lust. Like the amorous Squaw Kid with his first Injun Lady, Susie.



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We all should be led astray that way, but

she sleeps with a dagger..Ed

you are correct, that high end stuff is fantastic.

I just have to be a bit more pragmatic (read: live within my means) going from good quality to the best is dangerous for me.

What was that old song about "The Streak". "I hollered out 'don't look Ethel! But it was too late, she'd already been incensed...'.

Thanks for posting those pictures.

Rich

Gentlemen,

If I am going to lust after stuff that I cannot afford, it is going to be this:



Call me crazy!

I'm building a'70 model Toyota Landcruiser from the ground up with a 4BT diesel. It will be Purdy after we are finished. I ain't doin it to impress anyone, I just don't want to meet my self coming down the road....and I love FJ's.

What QK posted/said, plus one!!!

What Dutch44 said about his 'Cruiser is what I like about my old Jaguar convertible...

quote:

Originally posted by Idaho Sharpshooter:
What QK posted/said, plus one!!!

I look at that girl and I curse getting old!

I would bet she is 25, in my 40's anything that looks like it should be at a slumber party with my 17 year old doesn't get a passing look.

I prefer more age. I have four daughters.

The 70 series Land Cruiser sounds perfect. I'd love to have the current production in a double cab bakkie. I wish they sold them in America. They were $75,000 in Australia when I left 2 years ago. Nice trucks though.

The question, if I may, if this is such a wonderful thing; why haven't any of you high rollers snapped this bargain up?

quote:

Originally posted by Idaho Sharpshooter:
The question, if I may, if this is such a wonderful thing; why haven't any of you high rollers snapped this bargain up?

because you can't buy blondes here in the USA----

-rent yes, buy no----

I am totally amazed by your irrefutable and rapier like wit...

Rich

May I assume you don't have the $$$ either?

I would buy the action if it were for .404 Jeffery or .416 Rigby. But then again, it would not sell for that price if it were. I think the only reason it has not sold is that it isn't for one of the old time African cartridges. I realize the .458 Lott and the .416 Rem Mag are good cartridges, but I personally like the ones designed before WW I.